sahayman@watcgl.UUCP (Steve Hayman) (08/19/84)
I was truly impressed by the Olympic Marching Band. 800 musicians. 40 sousaphones. In our band we're lucky to get 40 people, total, in the same place playing the same piece. Their performance of 'Fanfare for the Common Man' at the opening ceremony was an awesome example of coordination - how do you conduct a group that's spread over the entire coliseum? In addition I enjoyed the new arrangement of 'The Stars and Stripes Forever' that was played when the American team came in, particularly the stirring use of the 80 herald trumpets. Absolutely first rate. My congratulations to all involved. (But why, when they had a live band at the pool (for instance), were the national anthems on tape?) Perhaps someone out there can answer a couple of questions for me. First of all, who was the director of this group? I understand that it was a Dr. Someone-or-other affiliated with the USC band. If anyone knows his name perhaps they could mail it to me as I'd like to drop him a note. Secondly has anyone heard if any recordings of the music from the opening ceremony will be made available? I've already bought the 'Official Music of the 1984 Olympics' album, and it's nice but of course wasn't live and doesn't involve the marching band. Thirdly I'm dying to know what piece it was that was used for Montreal during the billion-dollar fireworks show at the closing ceremony. I recognized most of the tunes for the other cities but was a little surprised that I couldn't place the Canadian tune. Boy, I can't wait until the 1991 Pan-American Games, which may be held here in Ontario. Maybe they need a bandleader... Steve Hayman Semiconductor University of Waterloo Warriors Band "Official Band of the 1984 Canadian Olympic Basketball Teams" watmath!watcgl!sahayman